Collaboration with our partner agencies and organizations is key to achieving the SCBOS mission of helping business ventures in South Carolina succeed. Our partners provide support, resources, and guidance for each step of your business journey—from registrations, licenses, and taxes, to regulations, labor, and everything in between. 

Find the contact information for all South Carolina state government agencies relevant to your business ventures.

Learn how the following SCBOS partner agencies and organizations can help you.

State Agency Partners

Image of the SC ACRE logo

The Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurs (ACRE), an initiative by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), is an umbrella organization that capitalizes on opportunities in the fields of agriculture, agricultural research, and entrepreneurship. 

Overall, ACRE seeks to provide additional economic prosperity for SC agribusiness from within the state and from across the globe. ACRE will house a unique research platform devoted to addressing specific challenges for industries that can provide more market opportunities to South Carolina agribusinesses and farmers.

ACRE Business Venture Support 

  • Complete the Entrepreneurship Center application.
  • Apply for the SC Farm Link program. 
  • Discover opportunities for financial success.  

The majority of professional licensing in South Carolina is done by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation’s (SCLLR) Division of Professional and Occupational Licensing. This SCLLR division oversees more than 40 licensing boards. 

The South Carolina Department of Commerce is here to help grow new and existing businesses. They believe every business, large or small, deserves every benefit it can get. That's why they work with statewide partners to develop services to help both local businesses and global enterprise industries be as successful as possible. 

SC Commerce is not just committed to recruiting new business. They are here to provide services for any company's needs throughout its growth and development. 

SC Commerce Business Venture Support 

  • Business advocacy and supports education and workforce development across the state 
  • Offering grants for community development and infrastructure improvement 
  • Assisting with the location of new sites and buildings 

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) is the state's consumer protection agency.  Established in 1974, SCDCA has more than 40 years of experience in protecting South Carolina consumers while recognizing those businesses that act honestly and fairly. 

The SCDCA’s mission is to protect consumers from inequities in the marketplace through advocacy, mediation, enforcement, and education. It accomplishes its mission by: 

  • Acting as an effective regulator
  • Providing complaint mediation services that are unmatched at both state and federal levels 
  • Saving millions for both consumers and small businesses through insurance and utility rate filing intervention
  • Serving as an educational portal for consumers and businesses alike
  • Informing the public on effective ways of preventing and mitigating identity theft situations

SCDCA Business Venture Support 

  • Advising the Legislature and Governor on consumer issues and the state of credit in South Carolina 
  • Providing consumer law guidance to the financial industry, magistrates, attorneys, and law enforcement agencies 

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) oversees the registration and collection of the Unemployment Insurance Tax for South Carolina. Most employers, with the exception of agricultural and domestic employers and nonprofit organizations, are considered liable under the SC Employment Security Law if the following requirements are met: 

  • Employer has at least one employee in covered employment for some portion of a day in each of (20) different weeks within either the current or the preceding calendar year.

    or

  • Employer has paid wages of $1,500 or more to employees in covered employment in any calendar quarter within either the current or the preceding calendar year. 
  • Employer acquires all or a portion of another liable business. 

SCDEW Business Venture Support 

  • Paying unemployment insurance benefits 
  • Collecting unemployment taxes 
  • Matching businesses with qualified candidates 

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) manages diverse, yet interrelated programs to promote and protect public health and the state’s land, water, air, and coastal resources. DHEC can advise you on how your company can "go green” by recycling, improving sanitation, and taking other voluntary steps to help protect South Carolina’s environment. 

In addition, if your business involves an activity that could in some way affect health or the environment, you may be required by federal or state law to apply for a permit, file paperwork, or take some other action through DHEC.  

DHEC Business Venture Support 

  • Information and permitting assistance for state health and environmental regulations 
  • Operates the agency’s public health and state laboratory functions 

The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) administers the revenue and regulatory laws of the State of South Carolina. The SCDOR collects 95 percent of South Carolina's General Fund revenues annually. It is also the agency that administers retail licenses and alcoholic beverage licenses in the state. Every person who engages in business in this state as a retailer must obtain a retail license and register for all applicable taxes before making any sales. 

SCDOR Business Venture Support 

  • State agency responsible for tax and licensing 
  • Administer the revenue and regulatory laws of the State 
  • Maintaining the highest security and the protection of taxpayer information 

The South Carolina Secretary of State (SOS) Business Entities application filings can now be completed using the SOS’s online system. You can access the online system by visiting sos.sc.gov/online-filings. Contact the SOS if you have questions about your filings at 803-734-2158. 

The SOS Business Entities Online application system allows you to: 

  • Search organizations on file with SOS that are doing business in the state of South Carolina
  • Purchase copies of corporate documents and certificates associated with your business 
  • File corporate documents online

SOS Business Venture Support 

  • Search for current registrations with the state 
  • Purchase copies of corporate documents and certificates associated with your business 
  • File corporate documents online 

Business Resource Partners

The Richland Library (RL) mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone who interacts with them. They believe that continuous, customized learning for all ages is the foundation for a strong economy and high quality of life.  

The RL libraries are community hubs that match the needs of each unique area in Richland County. Walking through the doors of any of their 12 locations opens up a whole new world of opportunities for people of all ages to learn, create, and share together. 

Richland Library Business Venture Support 

  • Get a library card. 
  • Reserve a meeting room/desk. 
  • View the events calendar for training and courses. 

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals through education and mentorship for more than 50 years. 

Because SCORE’s work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and thanks to its network of 10,000 volunteers, they are able to deliver services at no charge or at very low cost. SCORE provides: 

  • Volunteer mentors who share their expertise across 62 industries
  • Free, confidential business mentoring in person, via email, or by video 
  • Free business tools, templates, and tips online
  • Inexpensive or free business workshops (locally) and webinars (online 24/7) 

SCORE’s 300 chapters hold events and workshops locally across the U.S. and its territories, and match up entrepreneurs with local, volunteer mentors. 

SCORE Business Venture Support 

  • Create and develop your business plans. 
  • Find free resources and business tools. 
  • Receive advice from experienced mentors. 

For more than 35 years, entrepreneurs have turned to the South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) for assistance expanding an existing business or starting a new enterprise. Through free consulting, low-cost seminars, and connections to resources, the SC SBDC helps jump-start new businesses and guides existing entrepreneurs toward success. 

The SC SBDC’s mission is to advance South Carolina’s economic development by helping entrepreneurs grow successful businesses. Its vision is to be recognized as the gateway and proven provider of small business assistance driving entrepreneurial growth and success. To the state of South Carolina, this means big business because: 

  • State and local communities experience economic growth, reaping the benefits of SC SBDC contributions.
  • The SC SBDC is a partner of choice in university/public/private collaborations to grow small business and its leaders.
  • SC SBDC’s innovative tools and practices are trusted by South Carolina’s small business owners to give them a competitive advantage in a dynamic economy. 
  • The SC SBDC is recognized as a world-class team that leverages its network and resources to get economic results.
  • Stakeholders recognize the SC SBDC’s value and provide sustainable funding to ensure continued economic impact. 

SC SBDC Business Venture Support 

  • Connect with university and community resources. 
  • Gain a competitive advantage using their resources. 
  • Leverage the SBDC network for economic results. 

The Richland County Business Service Center administers the Business License, Local Accommodations Tax, and Hospitality Tax ordinances for Richland County. A business license is required by any person or entity prior to conducting business within unincorporated Richland County. This license is based on business activity and gross receipts. 

Richland County Business Venture Support 

  • Collecting business-related revenues fairly, equitably, and conveniently 
  • Issuing business-related licenses and permits accurately and promptly 

The City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities (OBO) empowers businesses within the capital of South Carolina. The OBO provides a variety of business support, including: 

  • Commercial lending
  • Education and advocacy 
  • Contractor and supplier diversity 

OBO Business Venture Support 

  • Initiatives that benefit small, minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses 
  • Business development assistance and courses for startups and existing businesses 
  • Training and support for city initiatives designed to increase local contractor’s capacity to compete for government contracts 

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses. 

SBA works to ignite change and spark action so small businesses can confidently start, grow, expand, or recover. 

SBA Business Venture Support 

  • Access Learning Center courses/webinars.
  • Find out if you are eligible for SBA funding programs. 
  • View the Calendar of Small Business Events near you. 

The Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) mission is to provide America's taxpayers top-quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and enforce the law with integrity and fairness to all. 

In the United States, the Congress passes tax laws and requires taxpayers to comply. The taxpayer’s role is to understand and meet his or her tax obligations. The IRS’s role is to help the large majority of compliant taxpayers with the tax law, while ensuring that the minority who are unwilling to comply pay their fair share. 

IRS Business Venture Support 

  • Use the Tax Withholding Estimator.
  • Get your tax record.
  • Amend returns.